Part of the CustodyStress archive of observed Bitcoin custody incidents
CS-01120
Passphrase unavailable — Trezor Model T (2023)
SurvivesCase description
A Trezor Model T user attempted to access a wallet after switching devices in early 2023. The passphrase had been set using a keyboard layout on a device that used a different character encoding than the new device. Characters that appeared identical produced a different passphrase hash on the new device. The user could not access the wallet despite entering what they believed was the correct passphrase. Recovery required identifying the encoding difference and testing all plausible character substitutions—a process that took several days with specialist assistance.
Custody context
| Stress condition | Passphrase unavailable |
| Custody system | Hardware wallet (single key) |
| Outcome | Survives |
| Documentation | Unknown |
| Year observed | 2023 |
| Country | International |
Structural dependencies observed
Outcome interpretation
Access remained possible under the reported conditions.
Source
Privately Reported
Evidence type
News article
Related cases involving passphrase unavailable
217 cases involve passphrase unavailable
274 cases involve hardware wallet (single key)
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This archive documents observed custody survivability failures. It does not attempt to document all Bitcoin losses or security incidents.
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Framework references
Where Bitcoin Custody Intersects Legal and Fiduciary Authority
Where custody creates gaps in estate planning, fiduciary duty, and professional responsibility.
Professional Scope Boundary Matrix
What each professional or product covers, what they do not, and where gaps form between them.
The Independent Assessment Layer in Bitcoin Custody
How independent diagnostic layers emerge when multiple parties depend on shared infrastructure.
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